OCEANSIDE: City councilmen Gary Felien, Jerry Kern sworn in

Felien replaces Charles Lowery on council.

As newly elected City Councilman Gary Felien and re-elected
Councilman Jerry Kern were sworn in Thursday, cementing a new
council majority in Oceanside, they reminded observers that the
city is facing an ongoing money problem, but gave few specifics on
what they'll do about it.

The time for details will come later, Felien said after taking
the oath of office.

"Today's the party day, the day to say 'thank you,'" he
said.

Felien and Kern were elected Nov. 2 to fill two open council
seats. Kern secured his second four-year term and Felien beat
former Councilman Charles "Chuck" Lowery, who finished third in the
election.

On Thursday, Kern, 58, set the tone for the coming months by
saying the council "will take a conservative approach to the city
budget."

He praised city workers for their hard work, but said all city
departments should be examined to determine whether they can work
more efficiently to save money.

"I believe the opportunities for efficiency can be found," Kern
said.

He said city residents "voted loudly and clearly for change" by
electing Felien and re-electing him.

Kern and Felien campaigned as a team, and Felien is expected to
join Kern and Councilman Jack Feller to form a new council
majority, replacing the majority of Mayor Jim Wood, Councilwoman
Esther Sanchez and Lowery that had been in place since Lowery's
election in a special election last June.

Lowery was elected to fill the unexpired term of Rocky Chavez,
who resigned a year ago to become state undersecretary of veterans
affairs.

Felien, in brief remarks after taking his council seat, said,
"We need to redirect, refocus government."

"Taxes, spending and regulations are killing the goose that lays
the golden egg," he said.

Administering the oath of office to Felien and Kern was
Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point.

In his first vote as a councilman, Felien joined his colleagues
in voting unanimously to appoint someone to replace him as the
city's part-time treasurer rather than call for an expensive
special election.

City Clerk Barbara Riegel Wayne said a special election would
cost more than $525,000.

"I'd pick a name out of a phone book before I'd spend $525,000
on an election," Felien said, calling the decision his first vote
to bring fiscal responsibility to city spending.

Felien, 52, was appointed to the $21,295-a-year treasurer's post
in February 2009 to fill the unexpired term of Rosemary Jones, who
died. The person appointed to replace Felien will serve the rest of
the term, which runs through December 2012.

The deadline to submit applications to the city clerk's office
is Dec. 9.

The council also scheduled a 2 p.m. Dec. 21 workshop to make the
appointment.

Call staff writer Ray Huard at 760-901-4062.

CORRECTION: Councilman's wife misidentified

Oceanside City Councilman Gary Felien was sworn in to office
Thursday with his wife, Karen, at his side. The original caption
incorrectly identified Felien's wife as Kathy. We
apologize.